Method of applying a fastener portion to a diaper

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method of applying a fastener portion  10  to an absorbent article  1 , said method comprising in a first alternative (A) the steps of: (i) providing a top sheet  2 , (ii) placing one or more fastener portions  10  onto an inner surface  2   a  of the top sheet  2  so that a fastener user&#39;s end  12  is essentially supported by the top sheet  2  and a fastener manufacture&#39;s end  11  is essentially adjacent to one of the lateral edges  2   c   ,2   d  of the top sheet  2  whereby the fastening means  15  is facing towards the inner surface  2   a  of the top sheet  2 , (iii) folding around the manufacturer&#39;s end  11  so that it is essentially opposite to the user&#39;s end  12 , and (iv) applying an absorbent core  4  and a back sheet  3  onto the top sheet  2 , whereby the sequence of steps (iii) and (iv) may be exchanged, or in a second alternative (B) (i) providing a back sheet  3 , (ii) placing one or more fastener portions  10  onto the outer surface  3   b  of the back sheet  3  so that a fastener user&#39;s end  12  is essentially supported by the back sheet  3  and a fastener manufacturer&#39;s end  12  is essentially adjacent to one of the lateral edges  3   c   , 3   d  of the back sheet  3  whereby the fastening means  15  is facing away from the outer surface  3   b  of the back sheet  3 , (iii) folding over the manufacturer&#39;s end  11  so that it is essentially opposite to the user&#39;s end  12 , and (iv) applying an absorbent core and a top sheet  2  onto the back sheet  3 , whereby the sequence of steps (iii) and (iv) may be exchanged.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of applying a fastener portionto an absorbent article, and, in particular, to a disposable diapercomprising a back sheet facing outwards, an absorbent core and a topsheet contacting the wearer's skin when the absorbent article is appliedto the wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers are provided with fastenerportions which are adhered to the body of the absorbent article throughone of its end portions, the so-called manufacturer's end, by means of,for example, an adhesive layer. The opposite end portion of the fastenerportion which is usually referred to as user's end, comprises afastening means such as an adhesive fastening means or a mechanicalfastening means to close the absorbent article around the wearer's bodyand fasten the absorbent article on the body. FIGS. 1 a and b show adisposable diaper of the state of the art having an hour-glass shape inan open (FIG. 1 a) and in a closed form (FIG. 1 b), respectively. It canbe seen from FIG. 1 b that the diaper comprises an absorbent core 4between a back sheet 3 and a top sheet 2. The manufacturer's end 11 ofthe fastener portion 10 is adhered to the side panel 6 of the diaper andthe user's end 12 is fastened to the landing zone 5 on the front.waistband portion 7 b on the back sheet 3 of the diaper.

EP 0,379,850 discloses a method for manufacturing fastener portionshaving rounded grip-ends or fingerlifts in order to avoid that thewearer of the diaper is hurt or even cut by sharp-edged fingerlifts. Apair of fastener portions is die-cut continuously from a web of fastenerportions, and the fastener portions obtained are applied continuously tothe edge portions of two different diapers conveyed side-by-side on aconveyor belt. Other methods for forming a plurality of fastenerportions, which can be integrated into continuous manufacturing linesfor diapers, are disclosed, for example, in WO 98/03,140, U.S. Pat. No.5,399,219 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,531.

WO 84/04,242 discloses another diaper shape wherein the side panels 6 ofthe diaper are not integrated into the body portion of the diaper sothat such body portion is essentially rectangular. A similarconstruction is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,302. In theseconstructions, the dimensions of the fastener portions 10 are typicallylarger than the dimensions of fastener portions used in conjunction withdiapers comprising side panels 6 integrated into the body portion of thediaper like those shown in FIGS. 1 a and b. The larger dimension of thefastener portions 10 is required in order to provide a reliable andstress-free fit of the diaper comprising no integrated side panels 6, onthe wearer. Strip-type fastener portions used in conjunction withintegrated side panels 6 like those shown by referral number 10 in FIGS.1 a and b, are often referred to as fastener tapes whereas fastenerportions like those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,302 are oftenreferred to as big ear fastener portions.

Fastener portions often comprise in addition to the fastening means anelastic means in order to impart stretchability to the fastenerportions. Stretchable fastener portions are disclosed, for example, inU.S. Pat. No. 5,527,302 and in WO 99/03,347.

While fastener portions comprising an elastic means are generallyadvantageous and tend to improve the fit of the diaper to the wearer,they may exhibit a reduced stiffness in comparison to fastener portionscomprising no elastic means. This may adversely affect the handleabilityof fastener portions comprising an elastic means and render theattachment of such fastener portions to the body portion of a diaperdifficult, in particular, under high speed manufacturing operations.

It has also been difficult in prior art to provide a method for applyinga fastener portion to a diaper so that the fastener portion is easy toopen and is also resistant to undesired, premature opening. EP 0,321,232discloses, for example, a fastener portion comprising both an adhesiveand a mechanical fastening means. The fastener portion is attached tothe diaper through its manufacturer's end and then folded over onto theinner surface of the top sheet of the diaper where the adhesive meansadheres to the inner surface of the top sheet thereby preventingpremature “pop open” (“flagging”) of the fastener portion while theabsorbent article is still being processed on the diaper line, forexample. Flagging of fastener portions may result in disrupturingfastener portions in subsequent processing steps and/or adversely affectthe folding of the diaper into a packagable state.

It was therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved method of applying a fastener portion to absorbent articleswhich can be effectively applied under high speed manufacturingconditions and/or which does not exhibit the shortcomings of the priorart or exhibit them to a lower degree only.

It was another object of the present invention to provide a fastenerportion which when applied to an absorbent article, does not “pop open”prematurely.

Other object of the present invention can be taken from the followingdetailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a method of applying a fastener portion10 to an absorbent article 1 and, in particular, to a disposable diaper,said absorbent article 1 comprising a top sheet web 2 having an innersurface 2 a, an outer surface 2 b, a first lateral edge 2 c and a secondlateral edge 2 d, a back sheet 3 having an inner surface 3 a, an outersurface 3 b, a first lateral edge 3 c and a second lateral edge 3 d, anabsorbent core 4 arranged between said top sheet 2 and said back sheet3, said fastener portion 10 comprising a manufacturer's end 11 forsecuring said fastener portion 10 to the absorbent article 1 and auser's end 12 comprising a fastener means 15, said method comprising ina first alternative (A) the steps of:

-   -   (i) providing a top sheet 2;    -   (ii) placing one or more fastener portions 10 onto the inner        surface 2 a of the top sheet 2 so that the user's end 12 is        essentially supported by the top sheet 2 and the manufacturer's        end 11 is essentially adjacent to one of the lateral edges 2 c,2        d of the top sheet 2 whereby the fastening means 15 is facing        towards the inner surface 2 a of the top sheet 2;    -   (iii) folding around the manufacturer's end 11 so that it is        essentially opposite to the user's end 12, and    -   (iv) applying an absorbent core 4 and a back sheet 3 onto the        top sheet 2,        whereby the sequence of steps (iii) and (iv) may be exchanged,        or in a second alternative (B)    -   (i) providing a back sheet 3;    -   (ii) placing one or more fastener portions 10 onto the outer        surface 3 b of the back sheet 3 so that the user's end 12 is        essentially supported by the back sheet 3 and the manufacturer's        end 11 is essentially adjacent to one of the lateral edges 3 c,        3 d of the back sheet 3 whereby the fastening means 15 is facing        away from the outer surface 3 b of the back sheet 3,    -   (iii) folding over the manufacturer's end 11 so that it is        essentially opposite to the user's end 12, and    -   (iv) applying an absorbent core and a top sheet 2 onto the back        sheet 3,        whereby the sequence of steps (iii) and (iv) may be exchanged.

The present invention also refers to a method of applying one or moretwin fastener portions 10 a to an absorbent article 1 and, inparticular, to a disposable diaper, said absorbent article 1 comprisinga top sheet web 2 having an inner surface 2 a, an outer surface 2 b, afirst lateral edge 2 c and a second lateral edge 2 d, a back sheet 3having an inner surface 3 a, an outer surface 3 b, a first lateral edge3 c and a second lateral edge 3 d, an absorbent core 4 arranged betweensaid top sheet 2 and said back sheet 3, said twin fastener portion 10 acomprising a first manufacturer's end 11 a, a first user's end 12 a, areleasable connection 19, a second user's end 12 b and a secondmanufacturer's end 11 b, wherein the dimensions of the manufacturer'sends 11 a, 11 b, the user's ends 12 a, 12 b and the releasableconnection 19 in cross-direction being selected so that themanufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b can be positioned adjacent to oppositeedges 2 c, 2 d and/or 3 c, 3 d of the top sheet 2 or the back sheet 3,respectively, and wherein the releasable connection 19 can be releasedto provide two separate fastener portions 10, said method comprising ina first alternative (A) the steps of:

-   -   (i) providing a top sheet 2,    -   (ii) placing the one or more twin fastener portions 10 a onto        the inner surface 2 a of the top sheet 2 so that the user's ends        12 a, 12 b and the releasable connection 19 are essentially        supported by the top sheet 2 and the manufacturer's ends 11 a,        11 b are essentially adjacent to opposite edges 2 c, 2 d of the        top sheet 2 whereby the fastening means 15 a, 15 b are facing        towards the inner surface 2 a of the top sheet 2,    -   (iii) folding around the manufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b, and    -   (iv) applying an absorbent core 4 and a back sheet 3 onto the        top sheet 2,        whereby the sequence of steps (ii) and (iii) or (iii) and (iv),        respectively, may be exchanged, or in a second alternative (B)    -   (i) providing a back sheet 3,    -   (ii) placing the one or more twin fastener portions 10 a onto        the outer surface 3 b of the back sheet 3 so that the user's        ends 12 a, 12 b and the releasable connection 19 are essentially        supported by the back sheet 3 and the manufacturer's ends 11 a,        11 b are essentially adjacent to opposite edges 3 c, 3 d of the        back sheet 3 whereby the fastening means 15 are facing outwards,    -   (iii) folding around the manufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b, and    -   (iv) applying an absorbent core 4 and a top sheet 2 onto the        back sheet 3,        whereby the sequence of steps (ii) and (iii) or (iii) and (iv),        respectively, may be exchanged.

The present invention also relates to a twin fastener portion 10 acomprising in the sequence given in cross-direction a firstmanufacturer's end 11 a, a first user's end 12 a, a releasableconnection 19, a second user's end 12 b and a second manufacturer's end11 b, wherein the user's ends 12 a and 12 b are directly connected toeach other by the releasable connection 19 without any separate part andwherein the releasable connection 19 can be released to provide twoseparate fastener portions 10.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a schematic representation of a disposable diaper having anhour-glass shape in an open state, said diaper comprising a rearwaistband portion 7 a and a front waistband portion 7 b which areconnected by an intermediate portion comprising the crotch region 8,whereby said waistband portions 7 a, 7 b comprise side panels 6. Thediaper furthermore comprises fastener portions 10 which are securedthrough their manufacturer's ends 11 to the side panels 6, while theuser's ends 12 are manipulated by the user and secured to the landingzone 5 when applying the diaper to the wearer.

FIG. 1 b is a schematic representation of the disposable diaper of FIG.1 a in a closed form, said diaper comprising an absorbent core 4 betweena back sheet 3 and a top sheet 2, and a fastener portions 10 beingadhered to the side panels 6 of the diaper through their manufacturer'sends 11 and fastened through their user's end 12 to the landing zone 5on the front waistband portion 7 b on the exposed outer surface 3 b ofthe back sheet 3.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the method ofthe present invention which is operated continuously and which comprisesproviding a continuous web of top sheet 2 having an inner surface 2 aand an outer surface 2 b, placing a pair of two fastener portions 10 inintervals in machine direction MD onto the inner surface 2 a of the topsheet 2, folding around the manufacturer's end along the lateral edge 2c of the top sheet 2 and applying a continuous back sheet 3 through itsinner surface 3 a onto the outer surface 2 b of the top sheet 2 toprovide a continuous web of an absorbent article 1 which can be cut intoseparate absorbent articles 1. FIG. 2 also schematically shows thesemi-continuous preparation of pairs of two separate fastener portions10 comprising applying fastener means 15 from supply rolls 101 andadhesive layers 16 from adhesive coating unit 102 (not shown in FIG. 2)to a continuous web of the backing 20 supplied by rolls 100, and cuttingtwo pairs of fastener portions intermittently with the cut and placeapplicator 103,104 comprising a vacuum roll 103 and a rotating knive104.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of anabsorbent article 1 in its cross direction (CD) through fastener portion10 and gives an enlarged view of the circled portion of the absorbentarticle marked in FIG. 2. The absorbent article 1 comprises a top sheet2, a back sheet 3, an absorbent core 4 and the fastener portion 10whereby the manufacturer's end 11 of said fastener portion 10 isarranged between the outer surface 2 b of the top sheet 2 and the innersurface 3 a of the back sheet 3, and whereby the grip portion 12′ of theuser's end 12 of said fastener portion 10 is arranged on the innersurface 2 a of said top sheet 2 and comprises mechanical fastening means15.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the methodof the present invention which is operated continuously and differs fromthe method of FIG. 2 in that one twin fastener portion 10 a is usedinstead of the pair of two separate fastener portions 10, said twinfastener portion 10 a comprising a releasable connection 19.

FIG. 5 a and FIG. 5 c each are schematic representations of alternativesfor arranging the two manufacturer's ends 11 a of twin fastener portions10 a between the top sheet 2 and the back sheet 3, of the absorbentarticle whereby FIG. 5 b and FIG. 5 d, respectively, to give a detailed,cross-sectional view in the cross direction (CD) of the absorbentarticle through fastener portion 10 a to show its anchoring to theabsorbent article; the graphical representation of the twin fastenerportion 10 a only extends to the fastener element 15, the releasableconnection 19 is not shown.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of another method according to thepresent invention comprising providing a top sheet web 2 having an innersurface 2 a, an outer surface 2 b and a fold 2 e, applying a twinfastener portion 10 a and folding over its two manufacturer's ends 11 a,11 b and adhering them to the inner surface 2 a of the top sheet 2,breaking the releasable connection 19 of the twin fastener portion 10 aby exerting a force in cross-direction to the top sheet 2 therebyunfolding fold 2 e and applying back sheet 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used above and below, the term “absorbent article” refers to articleswhich are placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer toabsorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. Theabsorbent article preferably is disposable, i.e., it is intended to bedisposed of after single use and not intended to be laundered orotherwise restored or reused.

A preferred embodiment of the absorbent article referred to in thepresent invention, is a diaper. The term “diaper” as used above andbelow refers to a garment generally worn by infants or incontinentpersons that is drawn up between the legs and fastened about the waistof the wearer.

As used above and below, the term machine direction (MD) of theabsorbent article 1 denotes the direction of the running, continuous webof, for example, the top sheet 2 and the back sheet 3 during themanufacturing of the diaper (see, e.g., FIG. 2) and thus corresponds tothe longitudinal direction of the diaper which is normal to thewaistband portions 7 a, 7 b. The cross-direction (CD) is normal to themachine direction. Likewise, the cross-direction (CD) of the fastenerportion 10 corresponds to its longitudinal direction, i.e. is thedirection pointing from the manufacturer's end 11 to the user's end(compare, e.g., the direction of the running web of the fastener portionin the left part of FIG. 2); the machine direction of the fastenerportion is normal to its cross-direction.

The term “adjacent” as used above and below is understood to denote thatthe manufacturer's end 11 is arranged in proximity of one of the lateraledges of the top sheet 2 or back sheet 3, respectively, whereby avariety of positions is possible. The manufacturer's end may, forexample, essentially project over the corresponding lateral edge. It isalso possible, however, that the outboard edge of the manufacturer's endin cross-direction essential matches with said lateral edge of the topsheet 2 or back sheet 3, respectively, so that the manufacturer's end 11is—prior to the step of folding over—essentially supported by the topsheet 2 and/or back sheet 3.

The top sheet 2 comprises an inner surface 2 a contacting the wearer'sskin and an outer surface 2 b facing towards the absorbent core 4. Theedges 2 c, 2 d of the top sheet are formed by the lateral edges of thetop sheet in machine direction. Likewise, the back sheet 3 comprises aninner surface 3 a facing towards the absorbent core 4, and an outer,exposed surface 3 b. The edges 3 c, 3 d of the back sheet 3 are formedby the lateral edges of the top sheet in machine direction.

Absorbent articles 1 and, in particular, diapers, may have any desiredshape such as, for example, a rectangular shape, an I shape, a T shapeor an essentially hourglass shape.

FIG. 1 b is a partially cut-away perspective representation of anessentially hourglass-shaped diaper in a closed form. The diapercomprises an absorbent core 4 between a top sheet 2 and a back sheet 3.The fastener portions 10 are secured through their manufacturer's ends11 to the outer surface 3 b of the rear waistband portion 7 a and/or theside panel 6 of back sheet 3. In the closed state of the diaper shown inFIG. 1 b, the fastener portions 10 are attached through their user'sends 12 to the target portion 5 on the front waist-band portion 7 b ofthe diaper.

In the various constructions of absorbent articles 1 and diapers, theback sheet 3 generally provides an outer cover member of the absorbentarticle 1 although sometimes, the absorbent article may comprise aseparate outer cover member which is different from the back sheet 3.

The back sheet 3 which has an inner surface 3 a and an outer surface 3 bfacing outwards, i.e., away from the wearer, may comprise a liquidpermeable material but preferably comprises a material which issubstantially impermeable to liquids. The material of the back sheet 3is preferably selected so that it prevents exudates contained in theabsorbent core 4 from wetting articles such as bed-sheets andovergarments contacting absorbent article 1. For example, thin plasticfilms such as polypropylene or polyethylene films or other thin films offlexible, liquid-impermeable materials can be preferably used as backsheet 3 of absorbent article 1. Alterative constructions of the backsheet 3 comprise a woven or non-woven fibrous layer which has beentotally or partially constructed or treated to impart the desired levelsof liquid impermeability to those regions which are adjacent orproximate to the absorbent core 4 in order to prevent the exudates fromescaping from the absorbent core. In another embodiment, the back sheet3 may comprise a microporous, breathable material which permits gasessuch as water vapour to escape from the absorbent core 4 whileeffectively preventing liquid exudates from wetting through back sheet3.

The size and shape of back sheet 3 is typically selected in view of theparticular design of the absorbent article, the size and shape of theabsorbent core 4 and/or the size and shape of the top sheet 2. The sizeand shape of the back sheet 3 essentially completely covers theabsorbent core 4. If desired, the back sheet 3 may extend, however,beyond the terminal edges of absorbent core 4 and/or top sheet 2 by aselected distance.

The top sheet 2 is preferably selected so that its inner surface 2 a iscompliant, soft-feeling and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Topsheet 2 is further selected so that it is liquid pervious permittingliquids to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable top sheet2 may be manufactured from a wide range of materials such as porousfoams, reticulated foams, apertured films, natural fibers (e.g., wood orcotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylenefibers) or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers.Preferably, the top sheet 2 comprises a hydrophobic material to isolatethe wearer's skin from liquids retained in the absorbent core 4.

Various woven and non-woven fabrics can be used for top sheet 2. Forexample, the top sheet may comprise melt-blown, spin-bonded or cardedpolyolefin non-wovens which may preferably have an area weight ofbetween 10–30 g/m².

The size and shape of the top sheet 2 is typically selected in view ofthe particular design of the absorbent article 1, the size and shape ofthe absorbent core 4, the size and shape of the back sheet 3 and thesize and shape of the area coming into contact with the wearer's skin.The size and shape of the top sheet 2 may essentially match those of theback sheet 3 but it is also possible that the size and/or shape of theback sheet 3 and the top sheet 2 deviate from each other. In a preferredembodiment, the size and shape of both the back sheet 3 and the topsheet 2 essentially match at least in the area where the fastenerportion 10 is applied to the absorbent article whereas the back sheet 3may extend beyond the top sheet 2 in other areas of the absorbentarticle 1, or vice versa.

Top sheet 2 and back sheet 3 are connected or otherwise associatedtogether in any operable manner. Top sheet 2 can be affixed directly toback sheet 3 but it is also possible that back sheet 3 and top sheet 2are connected or joined indirectly with each other by affixing top sheet2 to intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to back sheet 3.Top sheet 2 and back sheet 3 can be connected or affixed directly toeach other in the periphery of the absorbent article 1 by, for example,adhesive bonds, sonic bonds, thermal bonds or any other attachmentmeans.

The absorbent core 4 is arranged between the back sheet 3 and the topsheet 2 and has a construction which is generally compressible,conformable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable ofabsorbing and retaining liquid body exudates. The absorbent core 4 maycomprise, for example, hydrophilic fibrous material and high-absorbingmaterials and can be provided, for example, in the form of an absorbentpad. The absorbent core 4 may comprise a single, integral piece ofmaterial, or alternatively, may comprise a plurality of individualseparate pieces of material which are operably assembled together.

The sections on opposed ends of the absorbent article 1 in machinedirection which when the absorbent article is applied to the wearer,span around the wearer's waist, are usually referred to as waistbandportions 7 a, 7 b. The absorbent article 1 comprises two waistbandportions at its opposed ends in machine direction which form, forexample, the front waistband portion 7 b and the rear waistband portion7 a, and an intermediate section connecting said two waistband portions.The absorbent article 1 may furthermore comprise side panels 6 whichextend in cross-direction from the opposed lateral ends of at least onewaistband portion of the back sheet 3 and/or the top sheet 2. The sizeand the shape of the side panels and their attachment to the back sheet3 and/or the top sheet 2 can vary broadly. The side panels may form, forexample, an integral part of the back sheet 3 and/or the top sheet 2. Inalternative configurations, the side panels may be separate members thatare connected to back sheet 3 and/or top sheet 2. Side panels may bepresent at each of the two opposed waistband portions.

The fastener portion 10 allows to releasably and refastenably attach theabsorbent article 1 around the wearer's body. The fastener portion 10comprises a manufacturer's end 11 for securing it to the absorbentarticle 1 and a user's end 12 comprising a fastener means 15, saiduser's end being gripped by the user when attaching the absorbentarticle 1 to the wearer. The manufacturer's end corresponds to the partof the fastener portion which is fixed or secured to the absorbentarticle during the manufacture of the absorbent article; it usuallyextends from one of the lateral edges (i.e., the edges incross-direction) of the fastener portions to a position incross-direction where the area of anchoring of the fastener portions tothe diaper as provided during manufacture, ends. The user's end 12corresponds to the part of the fastener portion 10 which is not anchoredto the absorbent article during manufacture; it usually corresponds tothe part of the fastener portion which is different from themanufacturer's end 11. This means in other words that the sum of theextensions of the manufacturer's end 11 and the user's end incross-direction correspond to the extension of the fastener portion 10in cross-direction. The extension of the user's end 12 incross-direction preferably is from 55–80% of the extension of thefastener portion 10 in cross-direction whereas the extension of themanufacturer's end 11 correspondingly preferably varies between 45 and20%.

The size and shape of the fastener portion 10 may vary widely dependingon the size, shape and construction of the absorbent article. It is, forexample, possible that the fastener portion 10 is formed by a separatefastening tape tab which can be attached to the side panel 6 as isschematically shown in FIG. 1 for the case of a side panel formedintegrally by the back sheet 3 and/or top sheet 2. Separate fasteningtape strips 10 can be used, however, also in case of non-integralseparate side panels. It is also possible, however, that the fasteningmeans 15 is incorporated into the side panel 6 so that the fastenerportion 10 is formed by the side panel 6.

The fastener portion 10 may comprise a backing or carrier film 20 whichmay bear, be bonded to or integrally include, respectively, functionalcomponents such as, for example, elastic means 17, fastening means 15,fingerlifts, release tapes to provide a Y-bond between the diaper andthe fastener portion, or cover means. The backing and the functionalcomponents attached to or incorporated into it, respectively, areselected to impart advantageous properties such as, for example,elasticity, breathability, differential stiffness in machine orcross-direction, respectively, or mechanical or adhesive bondingproperties to the fastener portion 10.

The backing may be selected from a variety of films or sheetingsincluding single or multilayered films, coextruded films, laterallylaminated films or films comprising foam layers. The layers of suchfilms or sheetings may comprise various materials such, as for example,polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, polyethylene terepthalate,polyethylene, polyolefin copolymers or blends of polyolefins such as,for example, a blend of polypropylene, LPDE (low density polyethylene)and/or LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene), non-woven and foamedmaterials. The thickness of the backing is preferably between 30 and 500μm and more preferably between 40 and 150 μm. The base weight of thebacking is preferably between 20 and 500 g/m², more preferably between40 and 300 g/m² and especially preferably between 40–200 g/m².

The backing 20 preferably comprises at least one elastic means 17 whichmay, for example, be bonded to the backing 20 as is shown in thespecific embodiment of the fastener portion of FIG. 3. Bonding betweenthe elastic means 17 and the backing 20 may be effected by adhesivebonds, sonic bonds, thermal bonds or any other attachment means. Theelastic means 17 can also, for example, be included into the backing 20so that its cross-section essentially matches that of the adjacent partof the backing, i.e., so that there is—different from what is shown inFIG. 3—no step in the bonding area between elastic means 17 and backing20. Including of one or more elastic means 17 into the fastener portion10 which renders the fastener portion 10 stretchable in cross-direction(CD) is preferred because it increases the fit and comfort of theabsorbent article 1 on the wearer.

The elastic means 17 may be made from a group of materials comprisingessentially isotropic or essentially anisotropic materials,respectively. Useful elastic materials preferably exhibit an elongationat break as measured according to ASTM D 882 in the preferred directionof stretchability of at least 50% or more and, more preferably, of morethan 100%.

Preferred essentially isotropically elastic materials includeelastomeric polyurethane materials, or natural or synthetic rubbermaterials such as, for example, ethylene-propylene-diene copolymers(EPDM), styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers (SBS) orstyrene-(ethylene-butylene)-styrene block copolymers (SEBS). Otherelastomeric materials which may be used to form the elastic means 17include elastomeric polyamide materials and elastomeric polyestermaterials. Preferred elastic materials are commercially available fromExxon Mobil Corp. under the trademark Vector and from Kraton PolymersComp. under the trademark Kraton.

Attaching an essentially isotropic elastic material to the backing 20may render the fastener portion 10 unstable or wobbly in the machinedirection. Therefore essentially anisotropic elastic materials whichallow to provide elasticity to the fastener portion 10 in itscross-direction only, are preferred. Anisotropically elastic materialsare described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,908, WO 99/51,666,U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,691, U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,679 and U.S. Pat. No.5,354,597.

Anisotropically elastomeric materials which are useful in the presentinvention preferably exhibit a ratio of the F10 force required tostretch a sheet of the elastomeric material (dimensions 20×25 mm) by 10percent into the machine direction over the F10 forces required in thecross direction, of at least 1.5, more preferably of at least 2.0 andespecially preferably of at least 2.5.

The fastener portion 10 comprises a fastening means 15 which may beprovided by interlocking, mechanical-type fasteners, by adhesivefastening means and/or by other fastening means. To provide a releasableand refastenable closure system, the absorbent article 1 may comprise inaddition to the fastening means 15 a supplemental landing zone 5.

In case the fastening means 15 is of the mechanical type, a landing zone5 may be required comprising fastening means which are mechanicallyengagable with fastening means 15 of the fastener portion 10. A suitablemechanical closure system comprises two interlocking means, one of thembeing a hook (or male) fastener means and the other being a loop (orfemale) fastener means. The fastening means 15 may comprise the hookfastener or the loop fastener means, respectively, but preferablycomprises the hook fastener means. The hook fastener means may have anyshape such as hooks, “Ts”, “mushrooms” or any other shape as are wellknown in the art. The hook fastener material may be manufactured from awide range of materials including nylon, polyester, polyolefins or anycombination of these. Preferred hook materials are commerciallyavailable from 3M Company, St. Paul, U.S.A.

The fastening means 15 may be attached to the backing 20 by adhesivebonds, sonic bonds, thermal bonds or any other attachment means.

The loop material may be comprised of woven or non-woven fabric or anyother suitable material which interlocks with the contemplary hookfastener material. Suitable loop fastening materials of a knitted orextrusion-bonded type, respectively, are commercially available, forexample, from 3M Company, St. Paul, U.S.A.

In case the fastening means 15 comprises the hook fastener means, it maybe necessary and/or desirable to apply a patch of contemplary loopmaterial as a landing zone 5 in the waistband portion of the absorbentarticle as is schematically shown, for example, in FIG. 1. In othercases such as, for example, where the outer surface 3 b of the backsheet 3 is formed by a non-woven material, the mechanical fasteningmeans 15 may be selected to interact directly with the outer surface 3 bof the back sheet 3 so that a separate landing zone is not required. Incase of adhesive fastening means 15 it may be necessary or desirable toinclude a separate landing zone 5 for receiving an adhesive attachmentof the fastening means thereon.

Useful adhesives for use in adhesive layers 16, 16 a and/or as anadhesive fastening means 15, include pressure-sensitive adhesivesincluding pressure-sensitive adhesive hot-melt adhesives andnon-pressure-sensitive adhesives. Suitable pressure-sensitive adhesivesinclude rubber-based adhesives (also called rubber-resin adhesives)which comprise natural or synthetic rubber materials and typically alsotackifying resins in order to render the rubber materials tacky.Preferred examples of rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesives are thepolystyrene polyisoprene block copolymers tackified with syntheticpolyterpene resins. Suitable pressure-sensitive adhesives furthermoreinclude acrylate-based pressure-sensitive adhesives such as, forexample, those disclosed in US Reissue 24,906 or U.S. Pat. No.4,710,536. The thickness of the adhesive layers 16, 16 a preferably isbetween 10 and 200 μm and more preferably between 20 and 100 μm.

The shape of the fastener portion 10 can vary broadly. Fastener stripswhich are applied to side panels of the diaper, may have an essentiallyrectangular shape which can be varied by applying shaped cuttings. Thisis exemplified, for example, in FIG. 4 where ellipsoid cuttings areapplied to a continuous web of twin fastener portion 10 a. Shapedcuttings can also be applied to single fastener portions 10, and theshape of the cutting may vary and includes regular and irregular shapes.

The fastener portion 10 may comprise other components such as, forexample, fingerlifts, cover means to partially cover an adhesive meansor so-called release tapes which are provided to reliably secure thefastener portion 10 in a Y-type bonding to the diaper.

FIG. 2 schematically discloses a particular method of manufacturing aspecific example of a fastener portion 10. A schematic cross-sectionalview of such fastener portion is shown in FIG. 3. In the specificembodiment of FIG. 2, a backing 20 comprising an elastic means 17 isunwound from support roll 100. A mechanical fastening means 15 isunwound from supply roll 101 and attached to the backing, for example,by an adhesive layer. An adhesive layer 16 is applied to themanufacturer's end 11 of the backing by the coating head of adhesiveapplicator 102 (details not shown in FIG. 2). Alternatively, it is alsopossible to use a backing which is pre-coated in strip form with anadhesive layer 16. It may also be possible to omit the adhesive layer 16if the manufacturer's end 11, for example, is secured between the topsheet 2 and the back sheet 3 of the absorbent article and if such topsheet 2 and/or back sheet 3 comprise adhesive layer(s) for bonding themto each other.

The fastener portion 10 thus obtained is then applied to the top sheetweb 2 by means of the cut and place applicator 103, 104 comprising avacuum roll 103 and a rotating knife 104.

The above description of the absorbent article 1 is meant to beexplanatory only and not limiting. The absorbent article 1 is describedhere only to an extent required to explain the present invention but itis understood that the absorbent article 1 usually comprises a varietyof further components and features including, for example, but notrestricted to a crotch region 8 often comprising leg elastic membersarranged to draw and hold the diaper against the legs of the wearer,elastic means in the front and/or rear waistband area 7 a, 7 b and/orthe fastener portion 10, to ensure a tight fit of the absorbent articlearound the wearer's waist, elasticized containment flaps arranged, forexample, laterally inboard from the leg elastics along the machinedirection to support containment of exudates and so on.

Likewise, the above description of the fastener portion 10 is meant tobe explanatory only and not limiting.

Further details on diapers and their construction are described inliterature and may be taken, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,219,WO 96/10,382 or EP 0,529,681. Examples for the construction of fastenerportion 10 are given, for example, in WO 99/03,437, EP 0,321,232 or U.S.Pat. No. 5,399,219.

While the design and construction of the fastener portion 10 used in thepresent invention may be conventional the present invention provides anovel method for applying a fastener portion 10 to an absorbent article1.

In a first alternative A of the method according to the presentinvention the fastener portion 10 is positioned in a first step on theinner surface 2 a of the top sheet 2 so that the user's end 12 isessentially supported by the top sheet 2 and the manufacturer's end 11is essentially adjacent to one of the edges 2 c, 2 d of the top sheetwhereby the fastener means 15 is facing towards the inner surface 2 a ofthe top sheet 2. The term “adjacent” includes that the manufacturer'send 11 may essentially project over one of the edges 2 c, 2 d of the topsheet as is, for example, shown schematically in FIG. 2 for a specificconstruction of the absorbent article 1. In FIG. 2, the top sheet 2 isprovided as a continuous web with its inner surface 2 a facing upwards.The web passes cut and place applicator 103, 104 where a pair of twofastener portions 10 is placed adjacent to the opposite lateral edges 2c, 2 d of the top sheet 2 so that the manufacturer's ends 11 of thefastener portions 10 project over the corresponding edges 2 c, 2 d;correspondingly the user's ends 12 of the fastener portions 10 aresupported by the top sheet so that the outboard edges of the user's ends12 in cross-direction essentially match with the corresponding edges 2c, 2 d of the top sheet 2. The pair of fastener portions 10 is supplieddiscontinuously by means of cut and place applicator 103, 104 so thatthe fastener portions 10 are placed on areas of the continuous web oftop sheet 2 forming the waistband portion or portions of the resultingabsorbent article 1. If desired, the user's end of fastener portion 10may be temporarily held in place on the top sheet web 2, for example, bymechanical means such as plates, bars or belts until its manufacturer'send 11 is secured to the absorbent article as described below.

In a second step of the method according to the present invention, themanufacturer's end 11 of the fastener portion is secured to theabsorbent article. In the specific embodiment of the methodschematically shown in FIG. 2, the manufacturer's end is folded byessentially 180° around the edge 2 c, 2 d of the top sheet 2 so that itis subjacent to the outer surface 2 b of the top sheet and essentiallyopposite to the user's end 12. The manufacturer's end 11 is securedbetween top sheet 2 and back sheet 3 which is supplied as a continuousweb with its inner surface 3 a facing towards the outer surface 2 b ofthe top sheet 2. The top sheet 2 and the back sheet 3 are laminatedtogether between the pair of rollers 107 (only one roller shown) to givea continuous web of absorbent article 1.

An enlarged cross section through the circled area of the waistbandportion of the absorbent article 1 is shown in FIG. 3. The absorbentarticle 1 comprises a top sheet 2 and a back sheet 3 sandwiching anabsorbent core 4 (not shown in FIG. 2). The manufacturer's end 11 of thefastener portion 10 is arranged between the top sheet 2 and the backsheet 3. The manufacturer's end 11 of the fastener portion 10 is securedto the outer surface 2 b of the top sheet 2 through adhesive layer 16and the back sheet 3 is bonded to the manufacturer's end 11 of thefastener portion 10, to the top sheet 2 and to the absorbent core 4 bymeans of adhesive layer 16 a The user's end 12 of the fastener portion10 can be conceptionally divided into a grip portion 12′ and anintermediate portion 12″ located between the grip portion 12′ and themanufacturer's end 11. The grip portion 12′ includes in the specificembodiment of FIG. 2 and 3 elastic means 17, fastening means 15 and afingerlift portion at the inboard end of the grip portion 12′.

The specific embodiment of alternative A of the method of the presentinvention schematically represented in FIG. 2 and 3 is to merelyillustrate the invention without restricting it in any way. It is, forexample, not required that the manufacturer's end 11 essentiallyprojects over the edge 2 c, 2 d of the top sheet 2 but themanufacturer's end 11 can be partly or fully supported by the top sheet2. In this case, when folding over the manufacturer's end 11, theunderlying part of the top sheet 2 would be folded over, as well. It is,for example, also not required that the manufacturer's end when foldedover, is arranged between the top sheet 2 and the back sheet 3 but it isalso possible that the top sheet 2 and the back sheet 3 are laminatedfirst, followed by folding over of the manufacturer's end and adheringit to the outer surface 3 b of the top sheet. Securing of themanufacturer's end 11 of the fastener portion 10 to the absorbentarticle 1 and bonding of the top sheet 2 and the back sheet 3 can beaffected through attachment means other than adhesive bonds. Thefastener portions 10 may be secured to other portions of the diaper aswell. It is also possible, for example, to apply one fastener portion 10only to each of the front and rear waistband portions 7 b, 7 a or toapply a pair of fastener portions 10 to each of the front and rearwaistband portions 7 b, 7 a.

While FIG. 2 and 3 are understood to be explanatory but not limiting,they illustrate the gist of the present invention which resides inproviding a method for assembling a fastener portion 10 to an absorbentarticle 1 comprising:

-   -   placing the fastener portion 10 onto the top sheet 2 or the back        sheet 3, respectively, of the absorbent article 1 so that the        user's end 12 of the fastener portion 10 is supported by the top        sheet 2 or the back sheet 3 and preferably is arranged already        in the position it assumes when the absorbent article is being        stored, before    -   manipulating in a subsequent step the manufacturer's end 11 so        that it can be secured to the diaper.

In the state of the art, the manufacturer's end has been assembled tothe diaper first followed by manipulating the user's end to bring itinto its final storage position.

The method of the present invention is specifically suited to be appliedunder high speed manufacturing conditions. Since the user's end issupported by the top sheet 2 or the back sheet 3, respectively, duringthe assembling of the fastener portion 20 to the absorbent article, themethod of the present invention is especially advantageous for applyingfastener portions 10 comprising elastic means.

In a second alternative B of the method according to the presentinvention, the fastener portion 10 is positioned in a first step on theouter surface 3 b of the back sheet 3 so that the user's end 12 isessentially supported by the top sheet 2 and the manufacturer's end 11is essentially adjacent to one of the edges 3 c, 3 d of the back sheet 3whereby the fastener means 15 is facing outwards. Subsequently, in asecond step, the manufacturer's end 11 of the fastener portion 10 isfolded over as has been described above.

In an especially advantageous embodiment of the present invention, atwin fastener portion 10 a is used comprising a first and a secondmanufacturer's end 11 a, 11 b which are connected by user's ends 12 a,12 b and a releasable connection 19, wherein the dimensions of themanufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b, the user's ends 12 a, 12 b and thereleasable connection 19 in cross-direction being selected so that themanufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b can be positioned adjacent to oppositeedges 2 c, 2 d and/or 3 c, 3 d of the top sheet 2 or the back sheet 3,respectively. In the twin fastener portion 10 a, the user's ends 12 aand 12 b are connected through a releasable connection 19 which can beremoved to provide two separate fastener portions 10.

Twin fastener portions 10 a wherein the releasable connection 19 isformed by an additional separate part, are disclosed in WO 84/04,242. Inone of the two embodiments of WO 84/04,242, the releasable connection isa perforated adhesive strip which is adhered to the user's ends 12 a, 12b directly or by a separate Z-folded fixing strip. The perforatedadhesive strip can be broken to provide two separate fastener portions10. In the second embodiment of WO 84/04,242, the releasable connectionis a removable tape which is adhered to the user's ends 12 a, 12 bdirectly or by a separate Z-folded fixing strip. The removable tape ispeeled off to provide two separate fastener portions 10.

While the twin fastener portions disclosed in WO 84/04,242 can be usedin the method of the present invention, it was found by the presentinventors that twin fastener portions 10 a wherein the two user's ends12 a, 12 b are directly releasably connected to each other without anadditional separate part which has to be removed and discarded, areespecially preferred. These constructions are easy to handle under highspeed manufacturing conditions and do not result in additional wastewhen breaking the releasable connection 19. Twin fastener portionswherein the two user's ends 12 a, 12 b are directly connected to eachother through a releasable connection 19 with the proviso that suchreleasable connection 19 does not comprise a separate part, are new andthey are subject matter of the present invention.

The releasable connection 19 preferably is a weak line such as, forexample, a perforation arranged directly between the two user's ends 12a, 12 b. The weak line connects the user's ends 12 a and 12 b in thetwin fastener portions 10 a but can easily be removed such as, forexample, broken to release a pair of separate fastener portions 10without creating any additional waste. In another embodiment, the twouser's ends 12 a,12 b may also, for example, overlap over a smalldistance whereby the two user's ends 12 a,12 b are releasably connectedto each other in such overlapping area, for example, by means ofultrasonic bonding spots or a little spot of wax or removable adhesivewhich do not need to be removed and discarded upon breaking of suchtemporary bond but can be left in place.

A specific embodiment of the novel twin fastener portions 10 a accordingto the present invention where the releasable connection 19 does notcomprise a separate part, is schematically shown in form of a continuousweb in the left part of FIG. 4. In this schematic embodiment, the twinfastener portion 10 a is coated with an adhesive layer 16 on each of themanufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b and comprises an elastic means 17 and afastening means 15 on each of the user's ends 12 a, 12 b. The releasableconnection 19 is formed by perforated line 19. The shape of twoneighbouring twin fastener portions is modified by applying shapedcuttings 18.

The graphic representation of FIG. 4 is intended to illustrate thepresent invention without limiting it. The releasable connection 19, forexample, can also be formed by a wavy perforated line resulting inseparate fastener portions 10 having curved fingerlifts.

The various components of the twin fastener portion 10 a such as thefastening means 15, the elastic means 17, the backing, the adhesivelayer 16 and so on may be formed, for example, by the materialsdisclosed for single fastener portions 10 above but other materials maybe used, as well.

The preferred method of the present invention employing twin fastenerportions 10 a is illustrated by the non-limiting schematicrepresentation of FIG. 4 where twin fastener portions 10 a are unwoundfrom the roll 120 and applied to the inner surface 2 a of the top sheet2 which is provided as a continuous web. The twin fastener portions 10 aare applied to the inner surface 2 a of the top sheet via a place andcut applicator 103, 104 in a discontinuous way so that the twin fastenerportions 10 a are placed on areas of the continuous web of top sheet 2forming one of the waistband portions 7 a, 7 b or both waistbandportions 7 a, 7 b of the resulting absorbing article 1, respectively.The twin fastener portions 10 a are placed on the top sheet 2 so thattheir user's ends 12 a, 12 b are supported by the top sheet 2 and thetwo opposed manufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b are adjacent to the opposededges 2 c, 2 d of the top sheet. The subsequent step of folding over themanufacturer's ends is schematically shown for two differentconstructions in FIG. 5 a and 5 b.

In FIG. 5 a, the manufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b of the twin fastenerportion 10 a are essentially fully supported by the top sheet 2 so thatthe outboard ends of the manufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b essentiallymatch with the edges 2 c, 2 d of the top sheet 2 while the lateralextension of the back sheet 3 is smaller than that of the top sheet 2 byabout the sum of the extensions of the manufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b intotal. The manufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b are then folded over togetherwith the underlying portions of the top sheet 2 so that theconfiguration shown in FIG. 5 a′ is obtained.

In FIG. 5 b the manufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b essentially project overthe edges 2 c, 2 d of the top sheet 2 so that only the manufacturer'sends 11 a, 11 b are folded over. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5b′, the manufacturer's end 11 is positioned between the top sheet 2 andthe back sheet 3. It would also be possible, however, that the top sheet2 and the back sheet 3 are laminated first, and that the manufacturer'send 11 is then folded over to adhere to the outer surface 3 b of the topsheet.

The use of twin fastener portion 10 a is advantageous because, forexample, in the method of manufacturing of FIG. 4 only one fastenerportion 10 a needs to be applied as opposed to two fastener portions inthe corresponding method of FIG. 2. Also the releasable connection isusually removed only by the end user so that the user's ends arereliably prevented from “popping open” during the manufacturing andstorage of the diaper.

It is, however, also possible that the twin fastener portion 10 a isbroken into two separate fastener portions 10 during the manufacturingof the diaper as is shown schematically for a specific construction inFIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the twin fastener portion 10 a has been applied to atop sheet 2 comprising a fold 2 e. In this specific embodiment, themanufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b have been folded around prior to theapplication of the twin fastener 10 a so that the manufacturer's endsare adhered to the inner surface 2 a of the top sheet 2. It is, however,also possible that the manufacturer's ends are folded around so thatthey are located opposite to the user's ends 12 a, 12 b and subjacent tothe outer surface 2 b of the top sheet.

In the upper part of FIG. 6, the releasable connection 19 of the twinfastener portion 10 a has not been broken yet; the twin fastener portion10 a has been applied to the top sheet and the manufacturer's ends 11 ahave been folded over. In the next step which is shown in the lower partof FIG. 6, the releasable connection 19 is broken by exerting lateralforces in cross-direction onto the top sheet 2 to straighten out fold 2e. Subsequently to this, the back sheet 3 is laminated to the top sheetas is schematically indicated in FIG. 6.

1. Method of applying one or more twin fastener portions 10 a to anabsorbent article 1 and, in particular, to a disposable diaper, saidabsorbent article 1 comprising a top sheet web 2 having an inner surface2 a, an outer surface 2 b, a first lateral edge 2 c and a second lateraledge 2 d, a back sheet 3 having an inner surface 3 a, an outer surface 3b, a first lateral edge 3 c and a second lateral edge 3 d, an absorbentcore 4 arranged between said top sheet 2 and said back sheet 3, saidtwin fastener portion 10 a comprising a first manufacturer's end 11 a, afirst user's end 12 a, a releasable connection 19, a second user's end12 b and a second manufacturer's end 11 b, wherein the dimensions of themanufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b, the user's ends 12 a, 12 b and thereleasable connection 19 in cross-direction being selected so that themanufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b can be positioned adjacent to oppositelateral edges 2 c, 2 d and/or 3 c, 3 d of the top sheet 2 or the backsheet 3, respectively, and wherein the releasable connection 19 can bereleased to provide two separate fastener portions 10, said methodcomprising in a first alternative (A) the steps of: (i) providing a topsheet 2, (ii) placing the one or more twin fastener portions 10 a ontothe inner surface 2 a of the top sheet 2 so that the user's ends 12 a,12 b and the releasable connection 19 are essentially supported by thetop sheet 2 and the manufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b are essentiallyadjacent to opposite edges 2 c, 2 d of the top sheet 2 whereby thefastening means 15 a, 15 b are facing towards the inner surface 2 a ofthe top sheet 2, (iii) folding around the manufacturer's ends 11 a, 11b, and (iv) applying an absorbent core 4 and a back sheet 3 onto the topsheet 2, whereby the sequence of steps (ii) and (iii) or (iii) and (iv),respectively, may be exchanged, or in a second alternative (B) (i)providing a back sheet 3, (ii) placing the one or more twin fastenerportions 10 a onto the outer surface 3 a of the back sheet 3 so that theuser's ends 12 a, 12 b and the releasable connection 19 are essentiallysupported by the back sheet 3 and the manufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b areessentially adjacent to opposite lateral edges 3 c, 3 d of the backsheet 3 whereby the fastening means 15 are facing outwards, (iii)folding around the manufacturer's ends 11 a, 11 b, and (iv) applying anabsorbent core 4 and a top sheet 2 onto the back sheet 3, whereby thesequence of steps (ii) and (iii) or (iii) and (iv), respectively, may beexchanged and wherein the top sheet 2 in the first alternative (A), step(ii) comprises a fold 2 e or wherein the back sheet 3 in the secondalternative (B), step (ii) comprises a fold, respectively, whereby suchfolds are straightened out in subsequent steps during or after theapplication, respectively, of the twin fastener portion 10 a, byexerting a force in cross direction on at least the top sheet 2 or theback sheet 3, respectively, thereby breaking the twin fastener portion10 a into two separate fastener portions
 10. 2. Method according toclaim 1 wherein the one or more twin fastener portions 10 a are appliedto the rear waistband portion 7 a and/or to the front waistband portion7 b.
 3. Method according to claim 1 wherein the one or more twinfastener portions 10 a are applied intermittently to a continuouslyrunning web of a top sheet 2 or back sheet 3, respectively, to provide acontinuously running web of an absorbent article 1 from which separateabsorbent articles 1 can be cut.